Welcome to our first QAS Insight newsletter of 2006.

A focus this year will be investment in recruiting more people to develop and test our solutions, bringing our development team up to 62 strong.

This growth will enable us to deliver better quality products, and more of them. Over the last few months we have released Swiss data - our eighteenth international dataset, developed Authenticate Pro into a Web API version and incorporated QuickAddress software into the latest Oracle business applications and helpIT systems. Take a look at these developments in the QAS News section.

One of the hot topics for 2006 is suppression and the choices that are available to anyone looking to invest in a long term data quality solution. We debate the pros and cons in our feature article 'Suppression: Your choice.'

I also urge you to read our article on the importance of data quality which offers tips and hints on how to implement a data strategy. It's important to us that we hold the best possible customer data so that we can provide the best possible customer service.

Harjinder Burrha
Group Technical Director

back to top

What's the best way to suppress data? For organisations committed to ensuring their customer data is accurate and up-to-date, there's a choice. You can do either of the following; outsource the cleansing process to a data bureau; opt for software that sits on the desktop and does the job right in front of you; or choose an online suppression service, such as Intact from QAS.

So which is the best option for you?

Outsourcing has always been a popular option. In this instance, many will reason that it's better to leave suppression to third parties who specialise in data, have trained professionals and an in-depth understanding of the specific regulations.

But as with all outsourcing, it's not a question of moving responsibility out of the door and forgetting all about it. You'll need to ensure you are dealing with a bureau offering high quality, comprehensive data resources, such as those adhering to industry standards and Experian proprietary data.

Alternatively, if you are going to manage suppression in-house, a fully configured software tool provides you with flexibility and control of your data. Watch this space for QuickAddress Batch with Suppression being launched in May. As the process is managed internally, you are able to suppress when and where required and it minimises any issues surrounding confidentiality.

Of course you must consider factors like the training of staff in the best use of the appropriate desktop technology. There also needs to be awareness of how different ways of suppressing data come with different levels of responsibility in complying with the Data Protection Act.

Finally, if opting for online suppression you are able to access proprietary, public and third party databases simultaneously and at any time from your desktop. There are a variety of easy to use online suppression services in the market with 'pay as you go' pricing, so you only actually pay for what you need.

A key challenge with online suppression is that if undertaking regular, automatic data cleans, it may not be the most cost effective process, and there may be a more lengthy process when formatting the results back into the database each time.

Perhaps the only hard and fast rule when deliberating over suppression options is to remember that inaction is not an option. Data decay is an ongoing challenge. Take registrations to the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) as one example. The average monthly increase to MPS during 2005 was 55,000 per month…

There's no such thing as data that cleans itself.

back to top

As a UK market leading supplier of address management and data accuracy solutions, QAS not only wants to ensure accurate data within its own databases but has a reputation to uphold in helping customers manage their own information.

To ensure that customer data is of the highest standard, QAS has devised and implemented a comprehensive Data Quality Strategy. Internally, the strategy helps keep those employees responsible for customer information on the right track. It also helps maximise QAS' level of customer service, and ensures relevant communications are sent to the right people.

QAS endeavours to share its experience at every opportunity, so others can realise the benefits that our data strategy has brought, specifically; better regulatory compliance, financial savings and improved customer perception.

· Comply and survive

For QAS, the issue of compliance is a priority. "Our research shows that regulatory issues are high on the list of key concerns for many organisations, and for us it's vital," says Phil Waterhouse, QAS' Customer Care Manager. The Data Protection Act (DPA) is the main area of legislation that QAS is concerned with, which stipulates that contact details are up to date, not excessive and not duplicated.

To meet these challenges senior management support is crucial. "Many organisations have no management buy-in on data issues," comments Waterhouse, "it's left to middle managers to confront the issue of data decay." In order to survive in today's competitive marketplace, technology on its own will not suffice.

The solution must be supported by the Board and built into the organisation's business processes. And of course, it's the people who make the processes work, so it's incumbent on the organisation to create a culture in which everyone takes responsibility for data integrity.

· Money matters

Sending direct mail to people who don't want it, or who have changed address, aside from being bad practice, is an environmental waste and an unnecessary cost.

QAS has implemented a robust returned mail policy to measure and reduce mailing wastage. It is something quick to implement and makes senior management sit up and take notice. QAS have seen a steady decline in mail returned over the past 5 years, with a saving of more than £3,000 last year. Add this to the less easily measured compliance and customer perception benefits, and a good strategy really does start to add up.

· Perception is all

The final dividend from QAS' data strategy is improved perception of the company by its all important customer base. Waterhouse reveals that; "Keeping our customer details accurate helps us to retain 96% of our customers year on year, and allows QAS to treat customers as individuals through targeted products and services."

QAS is happy to talk to customers, prospects, partners and suppliers to offer its experience on implementing a data strategy. "We're also always interested in what we can learn, and in what else might work for us," says Waterhouse.

back to top

Identity fraud is costing the UK an estimated £1.7bn every year, with middle class professionals the most likely victims, the Home Office has revealed.

That's the equivalent of £35 for every person in the UK each year, greater than the estimated cost of national identity cards.

Criminal gangs are now the main perpetrators of ID fraud, using illegally gained identities to access bank accounts, apply for credit cards, and create false documents such as passports so they can claim benefits.

Late last year, the identities of 1,500 Department for Work and Pensions staff were stolen and used to make false claims on the government's tax credits website. And it's not just the public sector, even celebrities are not immune with Ricky Gervais having his identity stolen last month.

Security experts say all documents containing personal information should be shredded before being thrown away and say more diligence is needed to fight online banking scams.

The Government recommends better checks on personal and corporate identity, in addition to tighter control in the issue of ID documents.

It has long warned that standard paper-based proof of identity, such as birth certificates and utility bills, does not adequately prove identity, and says electronic checking is preferable.

back to top

From August of this year, the cost of postage will depend on an item's size and shape as well as its weight, potentially raising the cost of wasteful mailing.

Light but large items could cost more to send after this deadline, says the Royal Mail, while costs on heavy but small items may fall. The price of around 30% of post is expected to be affected.

These changes have already been approved by regulator Postcomm, which is satisfied by Royal Mail assurances that its overall revenue will remain around the same.

It's all about bringing prices more closely into line with costs, says Postcomm.

The Royal Mail's 350-year-old letter delivery monopoly came to an end on 1 January this year, and the pricing move will make it more competitive in a new liberalised era, it claims.

"It has never been more important for organisations using Royal Mail services to ensure they are getting best value by not wastefully sending direct mail to wrong addresses," says Rebecca Clayton, Director of Marketing at QAS.

back to top

Data cleansing company helpIT systems has incorporated QuickAddress software into its own addressIT product.

addressIT is part of the matchIT suite, and already verifies addresses against the Royal Mail PAF file. Now, with help from QAS, it will offer additional consumer and business data as well.

The partnership allows companies to add valuable information to their data including SIC codes, demographic codes, business telephone and fax numbers, location coordinates and forenames and surnames from more than 35 million records.

"Accurate addressing is key to ensuring delivery success, a positive reputation and elimination of resource waste," says Gillian Reeves, Senior Business Partner Manager at QAS. "With helpIT, we will help organisations push the importance of data quality up the boardroom agenda."

back to top

QAS's Authenticate Pro product, which checks identities electronically, now works in an intranet environment.

In response to customer demand, a Web API version of Authenticate Pro is now available offering name and address capture and identity authentication as part of an organisation's Internet-based internal communications.

The benefits of Authenticate Pro touch multiple parts of an organisation's processes, helping to approve identities in seconds, minimise drop-off rates, reduce the risk of identity fraud, comply with money laundering regulations, and streamline your internal processes.

Click here for more information


back to top

QAS & Oracle: QuickAddress solutions now work seamlessly with the latest version of Oracle's business applications.

Users of Version 11.5.10 of Oracle's business suite will now benefit from improved data accuracy when they use tools like Oracle HRMS, Oracle CRM, Oracle Financials and Oracle Student System.

Both customers and partners of Oracle Consulting can plug QuickAddress software directly into the Oracle 11.5.10 business suite with minimal integration effort. The joint solution provides end users with a consistent address entry interface and intuitive search features, to make sure address details are entered accurately and maintained over time.

Customers will save time through reduction of keystrokes and increase efficiency through improved customer communication.

QuickAddress solutions also help users gain a more consistent view of their data by reducing the number of incomplete and duplicate address records within the Oracle E-Business Suite. QuickAddress helps ensure that captured address data is accurate and consistently formatted to support improved decision making, usability and reporting.

back to top

QAS & PeopleSoft: We are pleased to announce that QuickAddress Pro Web is now available for use within PeopleSoft® Enterprise 8.9.

PeopleSoft Enterprise customers can now benefit from using QuickAddress within the following applications:

· PeopleSoft Enterprise CRM – improve data quality and ensure effective customer communication

· PeopleSoft Enterprise HRMS – improve employee communications and self-service functionality

· PeopleSoft Enterprise Campus Solutions – leverage student and faculty self service

This now means you can benefit from all the features of our latest web product within your PeopleSoft application. To learn more about this integration email PeopleSoft@qas.com with your enquiry or visit our dedicated PeopleSoft microsite where you can view demos, request product literature and register your interest.


back to top

QuickAddress Pro and QuickAddress Pro Web now come with data on Swiss addresses, in addition to the 17 other countries they already support.

The file contains premise-level information for addresses in Switzerland and the principality of Liechtenstein, sourced from Die Post and SwissPost.

It incorporates addresses in the three main languages of Switzerland (French, German and Italian) with alternative language aliases where two or more languages are used locally. There are about 4,000 postcodes in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

QuickAddress Pro Web customers wanting to take advantage of this addition can easily configure their current system, it's as simple as administrating a data update. Click here for more information.

back to top

Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy